Last night, we had a family meeting about our family routines for this new school year. We talked about what needs to happen at what time in the morning so that we can get to school on time. We talked about what needs to happen each afternoon and evening to get homework done, take care of dinner and clean-up, and get to bed on time.

Then I had my oldest child, my 12-year-old son (who seemed to be the culprit for a lot of late-to-school moments last year but who’s an excellent typist and who was flattered by the responsibility) type up a list of everything that needs to happen at what time each morning with his little brothers and sister helping him remember everything.

Here’s what the kids came up with (they found the pictures and everything):

The morning routine chart my kids made

after school and bedtime routine list the kids made

We posted the morning and bedtime routine list on the back of everyone’s bedroom door and posted the afternoon and evening routines in the kitchen and dining room.

* My sisters, mom and I made a podcast about morning routines as part of our Deliberate Mothering Podcast Series. Please enjoy listening to the podcast by clicking on the link below. Then add your ideas for successful morning routines to the conversation in the comment section below. I can sure use a few more ideas myself!

*** For lots more ideas, printable charts, and further podcasts to help you manage all the papers kids bring home from school and help your children complete their homework more effectively, check out our new School Paper and Homework Mastery Kit.

QUESTION: What tips and tricks do you have to offer about routines?

CHALLENGE: Take a look at the routines you’ve got to make them more effective or create brand new routines that will help your family function better!

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About Saren Eyre Loosli

Saren adores her five energetic, adventurous, precocious children but doesn't totally adore the mess and busyness and bickering that that comes with them! She grew up all over the world, got her Bachelor's degree at Wellesley College and did her Masters in Education at Harvard University (these days, the diplomas on her wall mostly serve as visual aids when she's trying to convince her all-too-smart teenagers that she DOES know a thing or two!). She went on to design and implement enrichment programs for kids and training programs for teachers. But it was only after she finally found her Mr. Right, Jared, and had five children in five years, that her education and work experience began in earnest!

When she's not trying to answer five - or six - different needs and questions at once, she works on this website (she's Co-Director and Co-Founder of Power of Moms).

She currently lives in Ogden, Utah and loves reading, hiking, and biking with her family (or by herself when possible!). She often struggles with balance but finds joy in being involved in many things that are meaningful to her.